Weekly Highlights

MEMORANDUM

Feral Swine Research Presented at Wild Pig Conference: USGS NWRC Geographer Steve Hartley presented his research regarding feral swine at the 2014 International Wild Pig Conference held April 14 – 16 in Montgomery, Alabama. Hartley is using the “Judas pig” system of attaching GPS-satellite telemetry collars to select feral swine, an invasive species. Once a collar has been attached to an individual, usually a large boar or sow, it is released and returns to its group. The group’s movements and locations can then be tracked through the collared individual, the “Judas pig,” allowing researchers and managers to better target removal efforts. Wild pigs have the potential to cause ecological and economical destruction far surpassing any other invasive exotic vertebrate. The International Wild Pig Conference is the only forum in the world that provides federal, state, and private stakeholders a venue to discuss biological, financial, and social implications specific to wild pig subsistence in our ecosystems. (Steve Hartley; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8543)

Lecture on How to Make a Video Abstract for a Research Article: USGS NWRC Scientist Emeritus Karen McKee presented a lecture April 22 on video abstracts for a course taught at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. The course teaches science students how to communicate their research to different audiences. McKee’s lecture was designed to prepare the class to create video abstracts about their own research. Video abstracts, which help raise the online visibility of research articles and their authors, are a growing trend in scientific publishing. McKee used examples published by journals to illustrate how to create an effective and informative video abstract. (Karen McKee; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8500)

NRCS State Technical Committee Meeting: USGS NWRC Deputy Director Thomas Doyle participated in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Louisiana State Technical Committee meeting held at NWRC on April 24. The LASTC is an advisory group coordinated by the Louisiana State Conservationist to help organize and deliver Farm Bill related program benefits. General meetings of the LASTC are scheduled quarterly or announced for special program activities. Doyle is a committee member. (Thomas Doyle; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8647)